17 News @ Sunrise 05/29/2024

Some of today's top storiesA u-s military fighter jet headed to Edwards Air Force Base in Kern County - crashed in new mexico.The plane was a developmental model of the f-35 fighter jet that was being delivered by lockheed martin.      It had just taken off from albuquerque and was en route to edwards air force base when it went down.Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject safely. An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash.After weeks of sqauring off inside the courtroom, the prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in the historic hush money trial of former president trump.Now, a jury of seven men and five women will determine whether the former president orchestrated a criminal conspiracy designed to influence the 2016 presidential election.NBC's brie Jackson has the latest from Washington.It has been more than a week now since Kern County senior deputy Ben Harmonson took his own life, outside a patrol car, near a canal north of 7th Standard Road.  Yesterday, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood issued a statement regarding Harmonson's death and life of service.It reads in part:"On Tuesday, May 21st, we lost a valued member of our organization. Senior Deputy Ben Harmonson passed away unexpectedly. His passing was a shock to us all. We knew his family and his work family needed time to grieve. Ben worked for the Sheriffs Office for 16 years and was one of our best. He had numerous commendations with a common theme. He was kind. Fellow workers and citizens said he was kind. Ben will be missed for sure." "Out of respect for the family, any other information will come from them. Out of respect for Ben, be kind!Meantime, Harmonson's family's launched a Go Fund Me to help raise funeral costs.     The account says Ben Harmonson was "an incredible man who was loved by many."    The page has already blown past its goal of $8-thousand dollars, with more than $41-thousand dollars raised as of this morning. May is Mental Health Awareness month.     As we're wrapping up the past four weeks, experts say to look out for red flags when it comes to mental illness.    17's Aleeya Fitzgerald has more.